Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Maya Angelou dies at 86
Famed poet and novelist Maya Angelou has died. She was 86. Published May 28, 2014
It’s a mistake to set strict Afghanistan withdrawal deadlines: Hayden
Four-star general and former CIA director Michael Hayden says it is a mistake to set strict deadlines for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Published May 28, 2014
Conservatives hold advantage on social, economics issues, but edge is slipping: poll
Americans still identify themselves as more conservative than liberal when it comes to economic and social issues, but that edge has slipped in recent years, Gallup said. Published May 28, 2014
Edward Snowden claims to be a spy, blames State Dept. for stranding him in Russia
National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden said he "never intended" to end up in Russia and blames the State Department for stranding him there, according to an exclusive interview with "Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams. Published May 28, 2014
Senate GOP: HHS may have purposely misled on Obamacare subsidies
A trio of top Senate Republicans have asked the Health and Human Services Department's inspector general to look at whether the agency misrepresented its ability to verify Obamacare consumers' incomes and issue the correct amount in subsidies to help them buy coverage on the new health exchanges. Published May 27, 2014
Sen. Elizabeth Warren to help Democratic incumbent Jeff Merkley fundraise in Oregon
Sen. Elizabeth Warren will campaign for Sen. Jeff Merkley on Wednesday in Portland, lending some Democratic star power to the incumbent Oregonian as he tries to stave off a challenge from Republican nominee Monica Wehby. Published May 27, 2014
Obamacare enrollees happy with coverage: survey
A new survey released by Enroll America, a nonprofit and Obama administration ally that rallied people to Obamacare, shows largely positive reviews from people who picked up coverage because of the law during its six-month enrollment period. Published May 27, 2014
Sen. Kelly Ayotte to endorse Scott Brown in N.H.
Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown is set to pick up endorsements from New Hampshire's GOP senator and two former governors of the state. Published May 27, 2014
Campaign ads chide Senate Dems who ‘parroted’ Obama’s flawed health care promise
The conservative Club for Growth announced a $300,000 ad buy Tuesday that aligns Democratic Senate incumbents with President Obama's flawed promise that "if you like your plan, you can keep it" under the new health care law. Published May 27, 2014
Republican Shelley Moore Capito enjoys lead in W. Va. Senate race
Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito leads Democratic candidate Natalie Tennant by 11 percentage points in their battle over an open Senate seat out of West Virginia, according to a new poll. Published May 27, 2014
Unions are battling employers over costs of health law they supported
Unions and employers are battling over who should pay for Obamacare's added costs, such as coverage for dependent children up to age 26 and future costs like the tax on "Cadillac" health plans starting in 2018, according to a new report. Published May 27, 2014
Iowa GOP worried that primary focus will cost them in November
Republicans in Iowa are worried that their Senate candidates have staked out positions before the June 3 primary that will come back to bite them come November. Published May 27, 2014
Ahead of midterms, GOP mulls a new ‘Contract with America’
Some Republican lawmakers want the party to issue a "policy manifesto" ahead of the midterm elections so they can highlight their agenda and priorities for voters, a new report said. Published May 27, 2014
Idaho moving forward with state-run Obamacare exchange
Officials in Idaho say they're undaunted by the well-documented failures of Obamacare exchanges in neighboring states and are moving full-steam ahead with plans to launch their own web portal this November. Published May 26, 2014
For Obamacare 2.0, more states look to browsing
When it comes to providing health care, following the Amazon.com model turns out to have been a good idea. Published May 25, 2014
MEMORIAL DAY: World War I memorial aimed for centennial of armistice
Members of Congress are pursuing a plan that at long last would establish a national monument to the veterans of World War I in Washington, D.C. Published May 22, 2014
Sen. Chris Murphy slams states that will not expand Medicaid
Sen. Chris Murphy, Connecticut Democrat and the Senate's top cheerleader for Obamacare of late, said millions more Americans could be covered if Republican-led states decided to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Published May 22, 2014
Senators add to outcry over Obamacare subsidies problem
A pair of Senate Republicans called on the Obama administration Thursday to explain how it is protecting taxpayer dollars used to help Americans purchase health coverage under Obamacare. Published May 22, 2014
Senate panel easily approves Obama pick to head HHS
The Senate Finance Committee sent Sylvia Mathews Burwell's nomination to head the Health and Human Services Department to the full chamber Wednesday, clearing the way for President Obama's budget chief to become the new face of Obamacare and oversee an agency responsible for about $1 trillion in federal spending. Published May 21, 2014
House GOP to Treasury: Stop Obamacare payments until you can verify incomes
House Republicans want the Treasury to halt its Obamacare subsidy payments to health insurers until they can prove they are not making erroneous payments, citing concerns that taxpayers will be on the hook to pay back amounts that do not sync up with their incomes. Published May 21, 2014